DC Studios Is Reportedly Looking To Lock Actors Into 10-Year Contracts As Part Of Ambitious DCU Plan

DC Studios Is Reportedly Looking To Lock Actors Into 10-Year Contracts As Part Of Ambitious DCU Plan

A few more DCU details have been revealed, including the fact James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Studios is looking to lock actors into lengthy decade-long contracts if they want to be part of their plans...

By JoshWilding - Feb 01, 2023 05:02 PM EST
Filed Under: DC Studios
Source: Above The Line

The past 24 hours or so have been a whirlwind of DCU news, comments, and minor tidbits that, when you take a closer look, may be pretty significant. While DC Studios hasn't quite broken the internet, James Gunn and Peter Safran have certainly got everyone talking about their ambitious plans. 

It all kicks off with "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters," and with only half of that revealed, we're sure more news is on the way. That probably won't be for a while yet, but if Gunn and Safran get to deliver their vision, two chapters over ten years will, hopefully, result in a DCU that's every bit as successful as Marvel Studios' MCU.

Gunn has made it clear that actors will be required to play their characters across all mediums, whether that's film, television, animation, or even video games. 

With that in mind, Above the Line's Jeff Sneider's latest scoop makes sense. He reveals, "Because of that 8-10 year plan, talent is being asked to sign 10-year deals that cover both film and television."

That's a huge commitment, especially for a franchise that has delivered more misses than hits. While Gunn's work does speak for itself, actors signing a 10-year deal effectively trapping themselves in this shared universe is a big risk (if the cast of 2016's Suicide Squad had done that, they'd still be making those movies for the next 3 years). 

The site's report also mentions that gaming and even theme park rides are a priority for DC Studios, while Gunn is in talks with an unnamed actor to play the DCU's Booster Gold! 

However, as you might expect, Superman is the character this world is being built around. 

"Superman: Legacy is the true foundation of our creative vision for the DC Universe," Gunn says in a statement shared by the site. "Not only is Superman an iconic part of DC lore, [but] he is also a favorite character for comic book readers, viewers of earlier movies, and fans around the world."

"I can’t wait to introduce our version of Superman, who audiences will be able to follow and get to know across films, movies, animation, and gaming."

How excited are you about the DCU's future?

DC Studios CEO James Gunn Responds To Fan Who Asks Why New DCU Doesn't Include Aquaman And The Flash
Related:

DC Studios CEO James Gunn Responds To Fan Who Asks Why New DCU Doesn't Include Aquaman And The Flash

James Gunn Responds To Rumor That Dua Lipa Has Joined The DCU As ZATANNA
Recommended For You:

James Gunn Responds To Rumor That Dua Lipa Has Joined The DCU As ZATANNA

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
marvel72
marvel72 - 2/1/2023, 5:02 PM
10 years? So a Superman movie every few years to get a trilogy out of him.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/1/2023, 5:03 PM
Damn. I feel like that may be harder nowadays. I could be completely wrong too.
tmp3
tmp3 - 2/1/2023, 5:05 PM
@GhostDog - yeah, might hurt getting bigger actors for these roles
RedFury
RedFury - 2/1/2023, 5:21 PM
@tmp3 - I imagine they'll probably go with a lesser known actor anyways. Saves them a lot of money on the first two films. Plus there's worse characters to be attached to for 10 years. Pretty good job security for an actor I'd say.
tmp3
tmp3 - 2/1/2023, 5:04 PM
glen powell or billy magnuseen for booster gold, but idk if they'd sign a 10-year plan
MrDandy
MrDandy - 2/1/2023, 5:10 PM
Wonder why they’d go with a year contract instead of the Marvel model of contracting them for 6 films?
Dotanuki
Dotanuki - 2/1/2023, 5:38 PM
@MrDandy - so they can include appearances on tv and video games. Probably makes it a lot simpler than writing a contract with a defined # of appearances. Gives WB way more flexibility.
MrDandy
MrDandy - 2/1/2023, 5:47 PM
@Dotanuki - but does it make it harder to sign actors? Seems to give the performers less freedom over those 10 years (which is a long time!)
Dotanuki
Dotanuki - 2/1/2023, 6:58 PM
@MrDandy - it may! 10 years is a major investment of time. There has to be some mechanism to protect the actor if things go sideways. I guess we have to wait and see.
TheShape9859
TheShape9859 - 2/1/2023, 5:13 PM
They better stop jerking us around with a Superman game. I need that game
TheBlueMorpho
TheBlueMorpho - 2/1/2023, 5:16 PM
Get some no names if you're gonna do that and pay them well to start off and increase their salary if the films do well to keep them happy since this might make them big stars.
ScaryTerry
ScaryTerry - 2/1/2023, 5:51 PM
@TheBlueMorpho - Exactly. Shit like this is meant to launch careers.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 2/1/2023, 5:20 PM
They're asking for too much, sticking with a 6 years contracts is the way it should go.

Still not sure how games and even "theme park rides" makes sense. It almost sounds like Gunn is the spokeperson for Zaslav's greed in making money off these characters whatever way it is possible.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 2/1/2023, 5:25 PM
@NinnesMBC - That’s exactly what Gunn is.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 2/1/2023, 5:27 PM
@PlusUltra - And the fact that I can't even find a decent way to refute that argument...says a lot. Damn.
AzorAhai
AzorAhai - 2/1/2023, 6:08 PM
@NinnesMBC -
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 2/1/2023, 6:16 PM
@AzorAhai -

Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 2/1/2023, 5:24 PM
Good luck, not everyone can find their Hugh Jackman, the one and only Wolverine, even after 23 years.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 2/1/2023, 5:55 PM
@Doomsday8888 - But that's because he's literally been the one and only Wolverine, even after 23 years.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 2/1/2023, 5:56 PM
@ObserverIO
By fate.

And...by choice.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 2/1/2023, 5:57 PM
I mean look, I'll agree with you he's def the best live action Wolverine of all time ever.

And Henry Cavill is the most definitive big screen Superman of the century (sorry Routh).
dracula
dracula - 2/1/2023, 5:24 PM
Good idea

Lets just hope they can get movies out on a consistent schedule so that they can actually take advantage of their age
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 2/1/2023, 5:27 PM
I’d be very reluctant to sign any type of long term deal with DC after the way WB’s treated their past talent.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 2/1/2023, 5:29 PM


Don't worry.

These actors will all be available in 5 years when the WB DCFU sh!tcans all this hit and miss mess and starts their next 10 year plan.

2028 presenting WB DCU chaper 3: Th next next 10 years.

bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/1/2023, 5:29 PM
They sign picture deals, not yearly contracts. Meaning the big names get a trilogy and two meet ups, Yada yada
TheRationalNerd
TheRationalNerd - 2/1/2023, 5:33 PM
Smaaaaart!
KWilly
KWilly - 2/1/2023, 5:35 PM
You're asking someone to give 10 years of their life, when something can drastically change in one year?

Knightrider
Knightrider - 2/1/2023, 5:36 PM
If you are an unknown actor or actress, I think you would take it.

You’ll still have room to squeeze in other projects and if you start at 25 and work to 33 - 35 you still have plenty of time for other projects.

Locking a BIG name might be tough and costly, so I see big names being saved for villain roles where little cameos might be all that is required after the movie.
EZBeast
EZBeast - 2/1/2023, 5:36 PM
Once again I have posted a comment and it said successfully posted yet it has not been. Seriously is anyone else having this problem?
MrDandy
MrDandy - 2/1/2023, 5:48 PM
@EZBeast - it’s been happening to me a bunch too.
EZBeast
EZBeast - 2/1/2023, 6:09 PM
@MrDandy - [frick]ing hell between that and the weird html errors that keep happening I’m surprised this site can function at all.
1 2
View Recorder